Why Smash Ultimate doesn't need Overwatch's Tracer, and should use these female heroes instead

Why Smash Ultimate doesn’t need Overwatch’s Tracer, and should use these female heroes instead

It should come as no surprise that Super Smash Bros Ultimate is packed with powerful female video game mascots, as the game boasts a roster of 72 playable fighters. Peach, Samus, Zelda, Bayonetta, and more are perfectly capable of holding their own when in capable hands. However, as effective as these characters may be in battle, there’s room for more female brawlers to appear in Smash Ultimate.

Rumors suggest that a female fighter is needed to the title as DLC in the near future. Many have been quick to associate this with an Amazon listing of a Switch case decorated with the Overwatch logo, stating that the character could be Tracer. While the mascot would be welcome in the game, there are plenty of other female video game mascots that are more worthy to be included in Smash Ultimate. Here are a few that should make the cut instead of Blizzard’s hero.

ALSO: Nintendo teases Super Mario Sunshine 2, Switch remake, or Odyssey DLC

Smash Ultimate‘s Next Female Fighter | Shantae

Smash Ultimate

Many fans are convinced that the supposed new female fighter joining Smash Ultimate soon is Shantae from Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, as the opening for the latest title in the series features a window frame that resembles a Smash Ball. It would make sense, considering how WayForward’s mascot has been on Nintendo platforms since 2002. Shantae’s platforming gameplay would translate well into Smash, as her signature hair whip could act as her neutral attack while her Final Smash could be her Obliterate Dance. Though the character is already a Spirit, fans shouldn’t lose hope just yet.

Smash Ultimate‘s Next Female Fighter | Impa (The Legend of Zelda)

Smash Ultimate

With Nintendo’s flagship Mario, Donkey Kong, and Metroid franchises all receiving new representatives in Smash Ultimate, it’s time for The Legend of Zelda to receive a new fighter in the form of Sheikah tribe member Impa. A recurring character in the franchise, Impa has played a pivotal role in such well-received entries as Ocarina of Time, Skyward Sword, A Link Between Worlds, and Breath of the Wild as she normally acts as a bodyguard for Zelda. Many of the character’s iterations can be featured in Smash Ultimate as skins. Of course, the arsenal of moves she’s built over the years should make it into the game — especially those that she uses in Hyrule Warriors. Her Naginata special attack, which sees a group of gigantic blades collapse on opponents, would work perfectly as her Final Smash.

Smash Ultimate‘s Next Female Fighter | Chun-Li (Street Fighter)

Smash Ultimate

Should Nintendo and Bandai Namco Studios want to continue featuring third-party characters as DLC for Smash Ultimate, Street Fighter‘s Chun-Li seems like a reasonable choice. Though Ryu and Ken are already in the game, Chun-Li can separate herself from these fighters with her “Lightning Leg” attacks, of which include the Hyakuretsukyaku and the Spinning Bird Kick. Her Final Smash could be a variation of her Hoyokusen. With it, the character can launch opponents into the air and pummel them with kicks before catapulting them off the stage. Seeing as how Ultra Street Fighter 2 has enjoyed a lot of success on Switch, it would make sense for another Street Fighter representative to make her way into Smash Ultimate soon.

Smash Ultimate‘s Next Female Fighter | Krystal (Star Fox)

Smash Ultimate

It’s about time for Star Fox‘s Krystal to join Smash. Similarly to Shantae, fans have campaigned for telepath’s addition into the fighting game franchise for a while, going so far as to organize online petitions and flood sites like DeviantArt with potential move sets. The character’s attacks could revolve heavily around her magical staff, the likes of which is capable of producing force fields, earthquakes, and fire projectiles. Her Final Smash could have her open up a portal underneath her opponent’s feet, transporting him or her to Sauria so that they may be battered by a stampede of rampaging dinosaurs.

Smash Ultimate‘s Next Female Fighter | Jill Valentine (Resident Evil)

Smash Ultimate

Resident Evil‘s Jill Valentine should be another third-party character that should make her way into Smash Ultimate. Seeing as how some of the franchise’s most popular entries, including Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil: Revelations, are now on the Switch, it would make sense for a representative to be on Smash Ultimate‘s roster, if only to serve as a constant reminder of the series presence on the console. Jill’s moves could be similar to Snake’s in that she could shoot foes from afar and plant traps for extra damage. The hand-to-hand combat ability she displays in Resident Evil 5 could also come into play. For her Final Smash, Jill could team up with her partner Chris Redfield to unleash a barrage of rockets on opponents.

Smash Ultimate‘s Next Female Fighter | Cooking Mama

Smash Ultimate

Kirby’s Final Smash in Super Smash Bros Brawl is a bit grotesque considering how the pink ball dons a chef hat and literally boils his opponents alive in a pot of soup. Cooking Mama‘s eponymous character could ratchet up the horror in Smash Ultimate, splaying foes with her signature spatula or turning them into treats for her sweet shop. In all seriousness, Cooking Mama could introduce a degree of novelty to the game’s roster, similarly to the Mr. Game and Watch or R.O.B. Considering how the series has been on Nintendo platforms since 2006, it’s about time this chef makes her fighting game debut.

Regardless of who makes it into Smash Ultimate next, here’s hoping that the franchise include more female video game mascots in the future. Sooner or later, every Nintendo fan will know of Cooking Mama’s omnipotence. She is inevitable.

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